New documents show that as late as the 1930s, police in Scotland thought some sort of creature inhabited the Highlands lake. Police were so sure of its existence that they worried about how to protect it from hunters.

Newly released files from the National Archive of Scotland show that local officials asked Britain's Parliament to investigate the issue and confirm the monster's existence — in the interests of science. Lawmakers were skeptical.

The idea didn't get very far in the end. The files, released Monday, show that it was deemed better not to kill the monster — or the myth — by stationing cameras or observers around the lake.

What lurks beneath the dark waters of Scotland's Loch Ness?New documents show that as late as the 1930s, police in Scotland thought some sort of creature inhabited the Highlands lake. Police were so sure of its existence that they worried about how to protect it from...